Texas Tech Turmoil: Leach Lashes Out

Recent videos obtained from the 2009 college football season portray former Texas Tech head football coach Mike Leach berating his players. Now the fact that a coach is seen yelling at his team isn’t newsworthy in of itself. But the fact that Leach is involved in current allegations, most notably of which is the treatment of player Adam James, son of ESPN analyst Craig James, only adds fuel to a legal fire and provides further ground for questions and concerns. The videos, recorded inside the postgame locker room following victories over Baylor and Kansas, respectively, show Leach threatening the living situation of some players as well as segmenting a group of his players when referring to them as “God squad guys.”

Now a coach who uses explicit language, in any sport, is unfortunately as common as the sport itself. I’m not going to argue how a coach should conduct his or her coaching techniques and practices, but I am going to bring to light the frightening reality of how coaches (and others alike) act when they are knowingly being filmed and watched by others. It begs the question, “How much more occurs ‘behind the scenes,’ unedited—without any record of the incident?”  How much more disregard or blatant attacks are lavished “off the record”?  How do they conduct themselves when no one is watching and there exists no threat of recourse?

It is said that one’s character—or lack thereof—is truly revealed when no one is watching. This is personally challenging. I may not be able to dictate how others live their lives, but I can be cognitive and intentional as to how I live my own. Integrity for me isn’t something to look brashly upon.  Luke 6:45 states that, “Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.” That said, I know that for myself loving and encouraging words aren’t always at the foremost of my speech. Moving forward then, if Christ is the example and personification of love, then love and the “golden rule” need to serve as the templates for daily living. Then (by following Christ’s example), regardless if I have the attention of the media or am found in solitude, my character won’t be found questionable.

Editorial